Let's talk about O'AHU. Home to Honolulu and some of the best parts of the Polynesia. Gorgeous place, probably the best island in the Hawaii chain. Maybe even the world.
If you're going there, I'm so excited for you!! If you don't have plans yet, make 'em. Oahu is one of my favorite places. You're going to absolutely love it.I lived in Hawaii for a year total for school so I have explored quite a bit of this beloved island. I have also taken a few friends around and have been there with family for vacation a few times. For your convenience, here's a map of all the best stuff! It's color coded too 🤓
Throwback to a little meme I made in my college days in Hawaii.
✨ Best of O'ahu ✨
Yellow = To Do
Blue = Beaches
Red = Eats
Green = Hikes
(If clicking the map doesn't work, copy and paste this in your browser to see the full map: https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=10rA3ff6ysrAMj537kPM4MymRqj5DUnlX&usp=sharing)
You can use the map to guide your journey. Or pick your favorite things from the list. For detailed explanations, keep reading. Here are all of my favorite things to do on the island:
1. DA BEACH
First things first. You gotta get to the beach. Heck, you're in HAWAII! Here are my favorites.
- Waimea Bay* (this place gets its own section so keep readin'!)
- Sandy Beach - amazing beach with killer waves. Either go as an expert or just watch the pro surfers do their thing and get tan at the same time.
- Pipeline Beach / Sunset Beach - beautiful beaches up on the North Shore. Big stretches of perfect sand, gorgeous sunsets, what more can you want??
- Hukilau Beach - right in Laie, and a super fun playful beach. I loved to bodysurf there.
- Waikiki Beach - really super nice beach downtown, lots of good sand (imported lol) and smaller pools for littles. Don't miss it, even though it's full of tourists. It's still worth it.
2. Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC)
Super cool tours, a lot of fun to spend a half or full day there. Each area is a different island of Polynesia and it's really fun to learn about the different cultures. Be sure to visit Samoa, it's the funniest one! And the PCC has an INCREDIBLE night show. Don't miss it. It's their best act. They also have a big feast you can have before the show.
PLUS, although the PCC costs a pretty penny, you can enjoy it knowing that your money is going to a good cause! Unlike some other tourist stuff, you don't have worry about your dough fattening up some billionaire somewhere else. The profits fund student scholarships at BYU-Hawaii and give jobs to students at the school. Many of the students wouldn't be able to attend college without the PCC. So you're keeping things local and helping a bunch of hard-working students at the same time!
While you're in Laie, you can check out:
- The Laie temple for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It's GORGEOUS.
- Hukilau Cafe. Super yummy and their coconut pancakes are delectable.
- Angel's Ice Cream. (More on that in the food section #6)
3. Waimea Bay
Arguably my favorite spot in Hawaii...definitely in my top 5 for the world I've seen so far! It is AMAZING. And beautiful, esp. in October. There's a big rock you can jump off there too. I even saw a giant turtle there when I was body surfing once.
Some friends and I starring in a video made by devinsupertramp. We all dressed up in our Halloween costumes and jumped off the rock at Waimea Bay. At the time of this writing, the video has 3.5 million views. You can see me super briefly in it (1:38). In other words, I am YouTube famous.
Ok seriously this is AMAZING. It's just over $100 if you show student cards and it is so. worth. every. penny. I didn't regret it at all. Even without the student discount, it was worth it. I've done it twice now. Somehow way scarier the second time, but still. Definitely worth doing!
It was so much fun, and just incredible. Amazing view, awesome feeling, and you can get pictures too (I recommend it!).
For some imagery, here is my bff Justi and I before we took off:
And here is a few moments after we landed:
Just take a deep breath, sign the waiver for your life, and just do it! It's an experience that's hard to forget.
And hey. At least if you don't like it, the free-fall is only about 30 seconds and you'll be back on the ground in less than 10 minutes.
5. Hikes
Gorgeous waterfalls, green trees all around, incredible views of the beautiful beach and blue water. You can't beat a good hike in Hawaii. Here are my favorite hikes to do on the island:
- Ehukai Pillbox Hike - super easy, amazing view, and just all-around fun. I did this one with a one-year old and it was totally doable.
- Pillbox Hike - Yep, there are two. I haven't done this other one, but it looks and sounds really cool.
- Laie Falls Trail - longer than I think every time! But gorgeous waterfall at the end. And it's fun to feel like you're in the jungle during the hike.
- Crouching Lion - Personally, I have not done this one. But I have had friends say it was really cool! The pictures alone look breathtaking.
- Lighthouse Trail - Super easy and super pretty. A win win. I did this when I was 8 months pregnant and carrying a 23 month old wild child. That tells you how easy it is. That's the picture up there.
- Diamond Head Crater Hike - Really really cool view of the island.
- Mānoa Falls Trail - I love this hike! It's not difficult and it has a beautiful waterfall at the end. I felt like I was in the Garden of Eden the whole time.
- Stairway to Heaven - Pictured above. Sadly I think this one is (still) illegal. So it's mostly on here just for memories/archive. The hike is described as: "A 3,922 step steel structure from the bottom of the Haiku Valley. Nowhere else in the world is there a ladder-way from gulch bottom to mountain top, scaling a nearly vertical cliff, ending at a spectacular overlook 2,800 feet above the valley." Or as my friend Steph describes it: "LADDER OF PAIN AND SUFFERING!!!(with an amazing view at the top.) She's right.
Would a vacation be even good without good food? NAH! Here are some memorable ones you should definitely try:
- Ted's Bakery. Hands down, my husband's favorite place. Has really good Loco Mocos and stuff like that but my favorite is the silky chocolate pie.
- There are some really good shrimp trucks on the North Shore between Laie and North Shore. A lot of people rave about Giovanni's but personally, I think the Famous Kahuku Shrimp Truck was amazing. I just remember getting their coconut shrimp once and being in heaven.
- Angel's Ice Cream - I love their shakes! Nothing beats a really thick, delicious shake after a sunny day at the beach.
- Leonard's Malasadamobile Wagon/Truck - I take back my last statement. MALASADAS ARE LIFE. Nothing beats a good one. Some people prefer the fruity ones, but I love the chocolate ones. Also. Be sure to get there early-ISH. Because they do sell out. Often. And when they're gone, they're gone until the next day which is just sorrowful.
- Crispy Grindz Açaí Bowls - Once upon a time, there was a little place between Shark's Cove and Waimea Bay. I have never had a better açaí bowl in my entire life. They were amazing. No words are even good to describe them so I won't even try. Sadly, that place got shut down by the Board of Health (apparently they were making them in the bathroom?? Idk...and also idc...)
- Papa Ole's Kitchen - DELICIOUS chicken. Super super good, and so worth it. I'm not a huge meat-eater person and I love this place. And it's very local!
- Matsumoto's Shave Ice - Yeah...shaved ice is a big thing in Hawaii! And why not? It's a great treat after a long day and the beach. You can get add ins too like ice cream, or cream, or even red beans. I know, it sounds weird. It is not for everyone. But I love them!
- Mochi Ice Cream - Don't care where you get them. Just try them. There is a place outside the PCC that has cool flavors. They're amazing! And yes, it's around $1 per ball. Do it!
7. Pearl Harbor
For sure go to Pearl Harbor. The history is really interesting and the tours are awesome. Definitely worth exploring.
Photo by Casey Horner on Unsplash
8. Snorkeling in Shark's Cove
Yeah, yeah, I know you can pay to snorkel in Hanauma Bay...but honestly. I've heard from a few friends who went in the last few years that it's really been overrun by tourists. They hardly saw any fish and all the wildlife needs a break from people crashing in on them IMO. On the other hand, Shark's Cove is free and super super cool. It's also not as secluded as Hanauma Bay which is nice. Oh, and FREE.
Just be careful of rough waves as they can push you onto sharp rocks. But keep in the calm areas or far away from the rocks and you're solid! My partner and I saw sooo many cool fish here, it was amazing.
This picture was taken before they changed Waimea Valley, but it was still gorgeous then. Now it's more official with crazy good reviews and more accommodating to visitors. Definitely worth checking out!
10. Valley of the Temples Memorial Park
This park is gorgeous. My favorite part is the replica of a historic Japanese Buddhist temple. It's a really pretty spot and not far from Kamehameha Highway.
11. Swim with Sharks
I mean...what cooler thing is there to check off your bucket list, right? I'm not necessarily afraid of sharks so it wasn't terrifying to me. Just super cool! The sharks don't even eat chicken, just fish and the guides are really cool. So you basically get to swim inside the cage and watch the sharks eat fish around you! Really amazing experience. Also not too pricey. And you have the option to buy a video of your shark encounter :)
This park is gorgeous. My favorite part is the replica of a historic Japanese Buddhist temple. It's a really pretty spot and not far from Kamehameha Highway.
11. Swim with Sharks
I mean...what cooler thing is there to check off your bucket list, right? I'm not necessarily afraid of sharks so it wasn't terrifying to me. Just super cool! The sharks don't even eat chicken, just fish and the guides are really cool. So you basically get to swim inside the cage and watch the sharks eat fish around you! Really amazing experience. Also not too pricey. And you have the option to buy a video of your shark encounter :)
This is really fun and beautiful place. They take you on a tour and show you the ranch. There's also a really cool bunker you can check out. They've filmed a bunch of movies here like Jurassic Park, Jurassic World, 50 First Dates, Hawaii Five-0, Mighty Joe Young, Pearl Harbor, Jumanji, and Lost.
13. Downtown Waikiki
It's always fun for me to walk around a new city. Waikiki is downtown Honolulu and there's a lot of cool stuff to do. I wouldn't spend all your time there (the best stuff in Oahu is on the North Shore), but it's definitely worth a little bit of time. Here are some fun things that I've enjoyed downtown:
- Take some pictures with the Parrot Man (or rather, his parrots)
- The Hawaii Army Museum Society (pictured above). I'm pretty sure the grounds are free and you can check out old army equipment.
This is a really gorgeous view of the island! Really easy to get to as well. REALLY windy. I remember on my first tour of the island for school, they told us you can throw a quarter off the lookout and it will fly back up because of the wind! There's also some cool history here from the native Hawaiians fighting battles.
15. Jump off 'The Point' in Laie (or just look)
If you're feeling wild, this can really get your fix. My friends and I would jump off all the time. Just be careful of the rocks below! And either carry your shoes or wear ones that won't fall off. It's a little sharp climbing back on the rocks to climb up again.
16. Chinaman's Hat
The water is really pretty here. A few friends of mine swam out to it and hiked the top. It's a pretty place to sit and watch the ocean for awhile.
These are really cool. If you have limited time, skip this. But if you have extra time, check it out! They're really cool ruins from the kings of Hawaii. It's a pretty short walk to the ruins and there are some waterfalls nearby I think. It was cool to see!
A Word on Getting Around
Confession: In my college days, I was of course, dirt poor. I usually hitchhiked, rode the bus, or rode my bike. All of those options are safe (but hitchhike in groups). However, travel time is at its max and the bus is not always super reliable as far as timetables. (At least smartphones have improved knowing when the bus will come!!)
A Word on Accommodations
Check out the humble view of my first private apartment! Yay adulthood. Also note the air mattress which is quite obviously not pumped up. I spent a bunch of money on furnishings (said air mattress) and forgot to buy batteries to pump it up. By the time I realized it needed batteries, I was without transport and it was too late to make the trip to Wally World. Luckily I got some a few days later but sleeping on concrete the first week was quite the experience. Ah, the blessed humble life of a college student.
But here's the thing — it really didn't matter. I was in freaking Hawaii! I could see and hear (and even smell) the ocean from my window! Did I really use my apartment for anything other than sleeping? Not really.
So when you're choosing accommodations, don't fret. It's HAWAII. You could sleep in an old shed and it would be fine. You're going to be out exploring the beach and beauty all day anyway! Just pick something in a decent location. I usually use Airbnb. Save the 5 star hotels for times when you're actually going to spend time in your hotel room.
Well, that's a wrap! Hope you enjoy your lovely stay in Oahu. Did I miss something? What was your favorite thing to do on the island? Leave me a comment!
